About This Book
This poignant chapter book follows fifteen-year-old Grace as she confronts a series of challenging life events. After her father leaves, Grace turns her back on religion, only to find herself praying for guidance on her home life, budding romance, and a deeply complex moral dilemma: whether to assist a beloved elderly friend, suffering from ALS, in dying with dignity. The narrative explores themes of faith, family, friendship, and the difficult choices that come with growing up, offering a sensitive yet direct look at grief, abandonment, and end-of-life considerations. It is best suited for young adult readers ready for mature themes.
Fifteen-year-old Grace, having turned her back on religion when her father left, now finds herself praying for help with her home and love life, and especially with whether she should help a beloved elderly friend die with dignity.
Concepts
Sadness & GriefFear & BraveryLoneliness & BelongingEmpathy & KindnessSelf-Confidence & IdentityResilience & PerseveranceLove & FamilyJustice & FairnessGood vs. EvilHonesty & IntegrityCuriosity & WonderFriendship & LoyaltyAnxiety & WorryDeath of a Loved OneParents DivorcingGrowing UpFamily IllnessFamily & Siblings
Character Death
illness
mental_health_themes
separation_from_parent
mature_themes
Discussion Prompts
1
How does Grace's father leaving impact her relationship with faith and her family?
2
What are the different perspectives on assisted suicide presented in the book, and how do they make Grace feel?
3
How does Grace's friendship with her elderly friend evolve as they face difficult decisions together?
4
What does 'dignity' mean in the context of the friend's illness and choices?
5
How does Grace's 'love life' fit into the larger challenges she's facing, and what does it teach her about herself?
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